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Tecumseh State Correctional Institution

Tecumseh State Correctional Institution

Facility Container

General Information

Warden

Todd Wasmer

Public Information Officer

Kevin.Wilken@Nebraska.gov

Phone

402.335-5998

Address

2725 Hwy 50

Tecumseh, NE68450

Mailing Address

PO Box #900

Tecumseh, NE68450

About the Facility

The Tecumseh State Correctional Institution (TSCI) was established by LB 150 in 1997. In the spring of 1998 a site two miles north of Tecumseh was selected for the institution and ground was broken in December of the same year. Hiring of initial staff commenced in late spring 2000. TSCI began accepting inmates in December 2001.

General Information

TSCI is a maximum/medium custody facility for adult males. The facility includes a 194-bed restrictive housing unit and houses inmates sentenced to the death penalty. The death penalty is administered at the Nebraska State Penitentiary.

Directions to the Facility

TSCI is located two miles north of Tecumseh, Nebraska on the west side of Highway 50.

From Lincoln, Nebraska: Highway 2 east of Lincoln to Highway 50, then right (south) on Highway 50 for 18 miles OR Highway 77 south of Lincoln to Highway 41 then left (east) to Highway 50 then right (south) for 1 1/2 miles.

*Recognized children service organizations wishing to make arrangements to bring children to visit an incarcerated parent may contact the facility Unit Administrator.

Tecumseh State Correctional Institution Visiting Procedures

Only state issued clothing will be allowed to be worn by inmates in visiting

Seating is limited to 165 people total; visitors/inmates beyond the 165 seating total will not be permitted

Processing will begin 15 minutes prior to the session start time

Processing will end 30 minutes after the beginning of the session

Effective April 3, 2017, the following visiting schedule is implemented:

Inmates not in restrictive housing or in Housing Unit 2B will have the opportunity to visit up to 3 sessions during the week OR 1 session on the weekend. The morning and noon session during the weekdays will be combined for those who are interested. However, they will count as separate sessions.** Cutoff time will be 1 hour after the start of the visiting session.

The charts above indicate the visiting schedule for all statuses of inmates at TSCI, with the exception of Housing Unit 2B, effective April 3, 2017.

NOTE: MAXIMUM CAPACITY FOR THE VISITING ROOM IS 165.

Housing Unit 2B visiting:

Housing Unit 2B inmates will be allowed Face to Face No Contact Visits, up to 2 sessions during the week or 1 session on the weekend during any visiting session as space permits.

Visitors will need to contact the gatehouse staff 3 days in advance of the requested visiting date to schedule a visit.

Programs

List Container

Programs & Services

Below is a brief record of every available program and service provided by this correctional facility. If it there is any additional facility-specific information pertaining to these programs and services, it will be found under the "Additional Information" tab.

**Please keep in mind that if there is no additional information provided by the facility, the "Additional Information" tab will not be displayed.

Anger Management is available to individuals demonstrating high risk/high needs related to anger. This treatment provides instruction and practice on basic anger control strategies in a group facilitated by clinicians.

Needs Addressed: Attitudes; behavior; aggression, mental health

Clinical Treatment

Interpersonal Problems Solving Group

Clinical program in Long Term Restrictive Housing which assists participants to address problems.

Need addressed: Mental Health

Clinical Treatment

Major Mental Health Group

Addresses major mental health challenges.

Need addressed: Mental Health.

Clinical Treatment

Mental Health Group

A group which helps participants address mental health issues and needs.

Need addressed: Mental Health

Clinical Treatment

oHeLP Outpatient Sex Offender Program

The Outpatient Healthy Lives Program is available to individuals who are assessed to be at a relatively moderate risk to sexually re-offend.

Need Addressed: Sex Offender.

Clinical Treatment

Residential Treatment for Substance Abuse: RTC, SAU, COP

Inmates assigned to residential treatment programs have been identified as having serious substance abuse issues. These programs generally last about six months.

Need addressed: Alcohol/drug addiction.

Clinical Treatment

Seven Decision Group

Long Term Restrictive Housing clinical group.

Need addressed: Mental health.

Clinical Treatment

Violence Reduction Program***

The Violence Reduction Program is an intensive treatment option for individuals at high risk for violent re-offense. Incarcerated individuals with a high risk to re-offend may include those with strong antisocial beliefs or lifestyle, evidence of psychopathy, and/or instrumental violence.

Needs Addressed: Aggression; attitudes/behavior

Clinical Treatment

7 Habits on the Inside

Developed by FranklinCovey in cooperation with the Colorado Department of Corrections, 7 Habits on the Inside uses the principles of the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, tailored for the incarcerated individual. The program seeks to empower individuals to manage their own lives in such a way as to be successful in prison and in the community. (10 sessions)

Needs Addressed: Attitudes/Behavior; Family; Employment; Life Skills

Non-Clinical Programs

Beyond Anger and Violence/From the Inside Out

Beyond Anger and Violence/From the Inside Out assists clients in institutional settings and community corrections address anger, reconciliation and emotion management. This program provides guidelines for daily living, helping to build, strengthen and maintain relationships.

Needs Addressed: Attitudes; behavior.

Non-Clinical Programs

Challenge Series

The Challenge Series is a Restrictive Housing journaling program designed to assist individuals prepare for general housing placement.

Needs Addressed: Attitudes; behavior.

Non-Clinical Programs

Commitment to Change

A cognitive behavioral program designed to help those in Restricted Housing work toward placement in general population housing.

Need Addressed: Attitude; behavior.

Non-Clinical Programs

Crime Victims Impact/Empathy and Life Skills

This program increases a participant's understanding of the harm/damages they caused their victims, communities and themselves. The program also provides an important life skill module that teaches how to become emotionally proficient, which translates into better decision making and reduced conflicts.

Needs Addressed: Attitudes; behavior, Life skills.

Non-Clinical Programs

Destination Dads-Common Sense Parenting

Provides parents with a menu of techniques that will aid them in building positive family relationships; preventing and correcting misbehavior; using consequences to improve behavior. Teaches self-control and how to stay calm.

Need addressed: Family

Non-Clinical Programs

Destination Dads-Inside Out Dads

Incarcerated fathers get tools they need to become more involved, responsible, and committed in the lives of their children.

Need addressed: Family

Non-Clinical Programs

Destination Dads-Within My Reach

Critical and concrete tools are provided which help participants improve interactions with those who matter in their lives. Subjects are knowing yourself first, smart love and making your own decisions.

Need addressed: Family

Non-Clinical Programs

Domesti-PUPS

Participants in Domesti-PUPS train dogs to become service animals for persons with disabilities, pet therapy programs, classroom dogs and education programs.

Needs addressed: Pro-social, attitude, behavior

Non-Clinical Programs

Living in Balance

Cognitive based educational program designed to address recovery and re-entry issues. Needs addressed:

Re-entry life skills for addicts.

Non-Clinical Programs

Moral Reconation Therapy (MRT)

MRT is an evidence-based, cognitive behavioral intervention which leads to enhanced moral reasoning, better decision making and more appropriate behavior.

Needs addressed: Attitudes, behavior.

Non-Clinical Programs

The Challenge Program

The Challenge Program (TCP) (formerly known as Close Management Units) is Mission Specific Housing that provides a controlled and highly structured alternative to restrictive housing for individuals who have demonstrated an institutional history of violent and/or Security Threat Group (STG) behavior. TCP is incentive-based and requires participants to engage in non-clinical programming and meet behavior expectations to progress through each phase.

Needs Addressed: Attitudes; behavior.

Non-Clinical Programs

Thinking for a Change

Thinking for a Change is a high-level cognitive behavioral program developed by the National Institute of Corrections. The program uses role playing to concentrate on changing the criminogenic thinking of offenders.

Needs addressed: Attitudes; behavior; family; friends; aggression.

Non-Clinical Programs

Transformation Project

The Transformation Project is transition and reentry program aimed at promoting positive behavior during incarceration and preparing participants for transition back into the community. Self-study modules are available for incarcerated individuals in long-term restrictive housing.

Needs addressed: Attitudes, behavior, re-entry.

Non-Clinical Programs

Adult Basic Education

Adult Basic Education assists adult incarcerated students work toward high school equivalency, or refresh skills regardless of diploma status.

Need Addressed: Education

Education Programs

College Courses

College courses are offered through various universities/colleges and correspondence courses. Currently, college classes are provided by grant funded providers and/or at the individual's own expense.

Needs Addressed: Education; employment; life skills; pro-social.

Education Programs

ESL/ELL

English as a second language (ESL) is designed to aid those students not fluent in English learn to speak, read, hear and write the language so they can better function in society.

Needs addressed: Education; life skills

Education Programs

High School

NDCS operates its own school district with a high school. Students of all ages may attend high school classes. Individuals under 22 who have not graduated from high school are required to be in school. Students over 22 need to go through an application process.

Need addressed: Education.

Education Programs

7th Step

7th Step is a self-betterment club that allows members to discuss and work on issues that hold them back from their best selves. Topics can include drug use, anger, family issues and more.

Need Addressed: Support

Pro-Social Activities

AA (Alcoholics Anonymous)

AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) is an organization to encourage its members to read, and listen at meetings to information provided through speakers. Members may use the program as a foundation to encourage and provide opportunities in facing the truth about their accountability for their addiction.

Need Addressed: Support for addiction.

Pro-Social Activities

Peru Inside Out

A dynamic partnership between students and incarcerated men to study crime and justice; critically analyze the criminal justice system, punishment versus rehabilitation; myths and realities of contemporary prison lie; race, class and other diversity issues; victim issues; and restorative justice.

Needs addressed: Pro-social, education

Pro-Social Activities

Reconnect: Pass It On

Helps participants serving 15 years to life, develop peer mentors in prison to help them serve their sentences productively. Need addressed: Pro-social.

Pro-Social Activities

Religious Classses and activities

Variety of classes, workshops and religious services designed to help inmates with support and spiritual development.

Needs addressed: Pro-social, support.

Pro-Social Activities

Sports/Recreation Activities

A variety of activities that encourage health pastimes are offered at all facilities. Please check with recreational specialists for more information.

Needs addressed: Pro-social/outside interest; health.

Pro-Social Activities

Toastmasters

Toastmasters empowers people to improve communication and leadership skills, find the courage to change, achieve their full potential, and realize their dreams.

Needs addressed: Pro-social; outside interest; attitude; behavior.

Pro-Social Activities

Assistance for Social Security Application

Social workers provide assistance in obtaining and completing Social Security applications to individuals who qualify and are 90 days from discharge, post-release supervision or parole.

Need addressed: Re-entry for those who may qualify for Social Security benefits due to age or disability.

Reentry Services

Discharge Planning

Reentry specialists work with individuals to ensure a reentry plan is completed. The plan allows for a smooth transition to the community and focuses on housing, transportation, employment, education, and medical/mental health services as needed.

Transition Services are available to those transitioning to or from general population or protective management. Mental Health professionals may assists with these services.

Need Addressed: Mental Health

Community Coordination

Social workers coordinate with a variety of community providers and agencies for mental health services, substance abuse treatment and medical services. Providers include the Veteran's Administration, DHHS, treatment agencies, private practice and non-profit organizations.

Social workers assist individuals with high medical/mental health needs to find clothing resources, apply for benefits or general assistance and other life needs.

Needs addressed: Social work services.

Social Work Services

Medical Services Coordination

Social workers assist individuals with high medical needs to set appointments for medication management, healthcare and provide resources to obtain medical insurance upon release:

Needs addressed: Health, mental health, life skills, re-entry.

Social Work Services

Specialized Housing Services

Social workers provide assistance to individuals with high medical/mental health needs to obtain transitional living, assisted living or skilled nursing care, as needed.

Needs addressed: Re-entry

Social Work Services

Specialized Population Served

Specialized Population Served offers services for inmates with mental illness or serious chronic medical conditions that are high risk and multi-needs.

Needs addressed: Health; mental health

Social Work Services

ABC Applied Construction Math

This program provides learning in the area of construction math such as calculating area, angles, volumes, pressure, shapes; solving for the unknown; and reading measurements.

Need Addressed: Employment

Vocational/Life Skills Programs

ABC Construction: Construction Technology***

A program which trains in construction application by allowing students to experience work-based learning and hands-on in the areas of carpentry, plumbing, electrical, HVAC, drywall, roofing, finish carpentry and painting.

This course provides entry-level information about employee rights; employer responsibilities; how to file a complaint; how to identify and prevent job related hazards.

Need Addressed: Employment

Vocational/Life Skills Programs

Alpha

Alpha promotes daily living skills for offenders and encourages character development. All classes are biblically based and open to anyone, regardless of religious affiliation. The program includes lessons on addiction prevention, understanding marriage, understanding parenthood and managing finances.

Needs Addressed: Attitudes; behavior; life skills.

Vocational/Life Skills Programs

Associated Linen Management Certification

Teaches skills in the area of laundry management.

Need Addressed: Employment

Vocational/Life Skills Programs

Cabinet Maker Apprentice

Apprenticeship for learning carpentry skills.

Need addressed: Employment

Vocational/Life Skills Programs

Forklift Training

Training in how to use and operate a forklift.

Need addressed: Employment

Vocational/Life Skills Programs

Mental Health Association Wellness and Recovery Action Plan (WRAP)

Discusses de-escalation; decision making and consequences; how trauma has affected a person; and how to overcome negative ways of dealing with stressful situations and crises. Need addressed: Life skills.

Vocational/Life Skills Programs

Metro Community College Employability Skills

Allow students to enhance their interpersonal skills, improve ability to work in teams, learn to communicate effectively, think creatively, use problem solving techniques, and explore competive job-seeking strategies.

Need addressed: Employment.

Vocational/Life Skills Programs

Reconnect: Success Prep

Helps participants examine behaviors and attitudes that may have contributed to their incarceration and focus on skills critical to reentry.

Work programs to include traditional facility work programs and Cornhusker State Industries

The facility attends to the emotional and spiritual needs of the inmates through the religious programs and services. Volunteers are a vital part of our restorative programming. The facility welcomes citizens that have an interest in working with inmates as volunteers. Through programming, the facility is also able to reduce inmate idleness.

TSCI Family Council

TSCI Family Council will be held in the TSCI Visiting Room on the following dates:

Wednesday, July 26, 2017 at 3:00 p.m. for Housing Units #2 and #3
Thursday, July 27, 2017 at 3:00 p.m. for Housing Unit #1
Thursday, July 27, 2017 at 4:00 p.m. for SMU/ISDP

The meeting will last up to one hour. The purpose of the Family Council will be to provide an avenue for participants to communicate directly with members of the Administration, identify areas that may be in need of improvement and get feedback on those ideas. While it is important to remember that change will not be immediate, this forum gives us an opportunity to discuss the aspects of change. While you do not need to be immediate family to attend, all attendees must be approved visitors to TSCI.

The initial focus of the Family Council will be the visitation process and all aspects related to visitation. Other areas to be discussed will be the other means of communication you have with your incarcerated friends and family (i.e. mail, email and telephone).

Initial agenda items will be:

General introductions

Ground rules for meeting:

Meetings will begin and end on time

Dress code for meetings will be the same as visitation dress code

No one inmate will be discussed

No one staff member or group of staff members will be discussed

Interruptions of staff and other attendees will not be allowed

Items to be added to the next agenda will be determined through discussions at each meeting

Meeting minutes will be taken and available for participants at the next visiting session and posted on the bulletin board in the lobby waiting area

Discussion for meeting:

Issues of general concern - relative to visiting

Suggestions for improvement - relative to visiting

Quarterly Family Council Meeting Notes

The Tecumseh State Correctional Institution (TSCI) was recently named Business of the Year by Auburn High School’s Future Business Leaders of America class. Administrative Assistant and Public Information Officer Boris Ilic was the first to present to the class. Over the next six months, the warden, associate warden, human resources manager, business manager and a major will also present information on career paths that led to positions with the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services (NDCS). The speakers will share interesting facts about TSCI and the positions they hold.Read more

To raise money for the Charitable Giving Campaign last month, six Tecumseh State Correctional Institution (TSCI) Supervisors volunteered to have buckets of ice tossed on them. TSCI staff had three weeks to donate to which supervisors they wished to "ice." Thank you for your generosity!Read more

On Sept. 1, Danny Madrid visited the Nebraska Correctional Youth Facility (NCYF). Madrid was formally incarcerated and now teaches at UNO and UNL in Criminology and Criminal Justice. He is one of the role models for change for the Transformation Project, which helps incarcerated individuals develop a foundation for learning and motivation to change through a process of self-reflection and goal setting. Madrid met with the incarcerated youth to tell his story, and he will be helping them paint a mural. Youth had the opportunity to draw what they believed should be on the wall, and have met weekly to put the mural together. The...Read more

October 10, 2017 (Lincoln, Neb.) – Donald Krisor (54), inmate #83738, died at 4:17 a.m. today at Bryan Hospital. Krisor was serving a 30 year sentence for manslaughter and use of a deadly weapon to commit a felony from Douglas County.

He was assigned to the Tecumseh State Correctional Institution. His sentence began on March 24, 2016; his tentative release date was August 5, 2032.

Cause of death has not been determined; Krisor was receiving treatment for...Read more

The Tecumseh State Correctional Institution (TSCI) held an Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) Core Math class graduation on Sept. 19. Thirteen incarcerated men completed the 12-week course, taught by Matt Bliemeister. This is the second of three courses offered by ABC. To participate, students were required to achieve an Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) 10-hour certification in general industries and an OSHA 10-hour certification in construction. Each graduate is now eligible to attend ABC’s Core Curriculum course starting later this month. Congratulations, graduates!Read more

Fourteen men graduated from ReConnect, Inc.'s Success Prep class at Tecumseh State Correctional Institution (TSCI) on Aug. 29. This was TSCI's 5th Success Prep class to graduate with the help of ReConnect, Inc. Executive Director LaVon Stennis-Williams. "This graduation is very special to us for numerous reasons," TSCI Associate Warden April Bulling-June said. "This is LaVon’s fist class back from brain surgery and it is our one-year anniversary with Success Prep and LaVon at TSCI. To have five graduations within one year, given all our facility has encountered this past year, is incredible." Congratulations, graduates!

August 23, 2017 (Tecumseh, Neb.) – Ronald Fort (57), inmate #31572, died at 10:18 pm on Tuesday, August 22, 2017, at the Johnson County Hospital. Fort was assigned to the Tecumseh State Correctional Institution and was serving a combined sentence of 31 years 8 months to Life for charges in Douglas County. Fort was convicted of second degree murder in 1978, possession of a firearm by a fugitive/felon in 1990 (while on parole), and manslaughter in 1992 (while on parole)....Read more